Our Company

Our Board

Dan Friedkin

Chairman

In addition to his leadership role with Auberge, Dan is chairman and CEO of The Friedkin Group, a privately held consortium of businesses and investments, including Gulf States Toyota. Friedkin also owns and oversees a host of automotive investments and Friedkin Capital Partners, a private equity firm he founded. In Africa, Dan runs multiple luxury safari operators and the Friedkin Conservation Fund, a charitable organization established by the family to conserve the habitat and wildlife in over seven million acres of Tanzania. He is also actively engaged in environmental stewardship throughout the U.S. and in his home state of Texas, where he serves as chairman of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission. An avid pilot with a passion for flying vintage military fighter aircraft, Dan owns one of the largest such fleets in the country, frequently flying in commemorative displays with the Air Force Heritage Flight Foundation, an organization founded by Dan in 2011, to honor the men and women in our armed services. Dan also flies at airshows across the globe with The Bremont Horsemen, the world’s only P-51 Mustang formation aerobatic team. Dan received his BA from Georgetown University and his MBA from Rice University.

Mark Harmon

Managing Partner

Mark Harmon oversees all aspects of the company’s growth and strategy, including the concept, design and development of hotels, resorts, residence clubs and branded residences. He formed Auberge Resorts in 1998 to consolidate the management, development and financial expertise of its various hospitality ventures and to pursue the development of other unique properties. Since then, he has led the company's growth to encompass ventures not only in resort management, but also in resort development, real estate and residence clubs. Under his leadership, the company has garnered industry accolades and high honors from the readers of preeminent travel and lifestyle publications. Mark has been a regular speaker at hospitality industry events at Cornell University Hotel School, the New York University Hospitality Conference and at the annual conference of the International Spa Association (ISPA). He is a graduate of Princeton University and University of California, Hastings College of the Law.

Craig Reid

President & Chief Executive Officer

A dynamic hospitality industry leader respected for his expertise in hotel development, management and service excellence, Reid joined Auberge in January 2014, following a noteworthy career with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts that spanned more than three decades. As President of Hotel Operations, Americas, his position since 2011, Reid was responsible for setting the strategic direction for Four Seasons hotels in Canada, the U.S. and Latin America, a region that spanned seven time zones. Previously, he served as Senior Vice President Operations for the Americas and in a variety of management roles at Four Seasons properties in Chicago, Boston, Austin, Dallas and Washington, D.C. He began his career with The Savoy Group, London, as a management trainee. Reid is a graduate of Westminster College, London, with a diploma in Hotel Administration. He completed the Summer Management Program at Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration.

Ron Nixon

Director

Ron co-founded The Catalyst Group, Inc. in 1990 to provide expansion capital to companies in a variety of mid market industries. Over the course of twenty years beginning in 1990, Catalyst managed eight separate investment funds, whose performance was in the top 5% of its industry peer group with approximately 100 investments in over 75 companies in the eight funds. Dan Friedkin, CEO of Friedkin Capital Partners, was an initial and core investor in Catalyst. Today, Ron serves as a managing partner for Friedkin Capital Partners, which was formed in 2012 to pursue hospitality and other investments across an array of industries. Ron is currently or has been a member of several private and public company boards including MS Energy Services, Greene’s Energy Group, Ascent Automotive Group and LHC Group. A member of the University of Texas Cockrell Engineering School Advisory Board and the University of Texas System Chancellor’s Technology Advisory Council, he also serves on several non-profit boards. Mr. Nixon is a Registered Professional Engineer in the state of Texas and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a BS in Mechanical Engineering.

Ben Weprin

Director

Adventurous Journeys LLC develops, owns and operates commercial and hospitality properties throughout the United States. A partner in Auberge Resorts, the company actively pursues new investment and management opportunities on its behalf. Ben is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and earned an MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management.

Our Advisors

Randolph Weisz

Executive Advisor of Business Affairs

Randy joined Auberge in early 2014 as our Executive Advisor. In his new role, he will provide advice and direction to the Senior Management Team to help them develop and execute a strategic plan for the global expansion of Auberge. Randy previously held the position of Executive Vice President Business Administration and General Counsel at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, where he was responsible for managing the worldwide business and legal affairs of the company relating to property investments and other corporate initiatives. His expertise in negotiating business and financial terms for properties and corporate investments, together with his ability to work with hotel developers and owners to achieve their financial objectives, will be some of his key roles at Auberge. Randy was a member of the Management Committee of Four Seasons, responsible for running their business affairs worldwide, and was involved in all of the corporate transactions critical to the emergence of Four Seasons as a globally recognized hospitality brand. He is a graduate of the Law School of the University of Western Ontario and previously practiced corporate and commercial law as a Partner of Goodmans LLP in Toronto, Canada.

John MacKinnon

Executive Advisor of Design and Construction

John will provide advice and direction to the Senior Management Team in all matters related to the innovative and efficient design of new hotel, resort and residential developments. John graduated from the University of Waterloo in 1987 with a degree in Engineering and Management Science. Upon graduation, he was hired by Cineplex Odeon to design and construct movie theatres throughout Canada and the U.S. In 1991, John joined the City of Toronto as Director of Facility Planning, Design and Construction where he led teams of in-house architects, engineers, telecom and project managers who were responsible for all of the City’s capital construction projects and the maintenance of 600 city owned buildings. John began his career with Four Seasons in June 1997, as a Manager in the Design and Construction Department and was promoted to Director in 2001. He was then promoted to Vice President in 2003, and in 2006, he was asked to lead the department as Senior Vice President. Under John’s leadership, the department grew from a staff of 12 in 2006 to its current complement of 37 team members. As a member of the senior management team at Four Seasons, John was instrumental in helping the company grow from 35 to 95 hotels.

Our People

Mark Harmon

Managing Partner

Mark Harmon oversees all aspects of the company’s growth and strategy, including the concept, design and development of hotels, resorts, residence clubs and branded residences. He formed Auberge Resorts in 1998 to consolidate the management, development and financial expertise of its various hospitality ventures and to pursue the development of other unique properties. Since then, he has led the company's growth to encompass ventures not only in resort management, but also in resort development, real estate and residence clubs. Under his leadership, the company has garnered industry accolades and high honors from the readers of preeminent travel and lifestyle publications. Mark has been a regular speaker at hospitality industry events at Cornell University Hotel School, the New York University Hospitality Conference and at the annual conference of the International Spa Association (ISPA). He is a graduate of Princeton University and University of California, Hastings College of the Law.

Craig Reid

President & Chief Executive Officer

A dynamic hospitality industry leader respected for his expertise in hotel development, management and service excellence, Reid joined Auberge in January 2014, following a noteworthy career with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts that spanned more than three decades. As President of Hotel Operations, Americas, his position since 2011, Reid was responsible for setting the strategic direction for Four Seasons hotels in Canada, the U.S. and Latin America, a region that spanned seven time zones. Previously, he served as Senior Vice President Operations for the Americas and in a variety of management roles at Four Seasons properties in Chicago, Boston, Austin, Dallas and Washington, D.C. He began his career with The Savoy Group, London, as a management trainee. Reid is a graduate of Westminster College, London, with a diploma in Hotel Administration. He completed the Summer Management Program at Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration.

Claude Brock

Chief Financial Officer

Claude oversees the company's financial reporting and analysis, budgeting and capital planning activities to enhance the portfolio’s financial performance. He is also responsible for developing and implementing Auberge's technology infrastructure and expansion initiatives to propel future growth. Claude joined Auberge Resorts following a 20-year tenure with KSL Resorts, where he was Director of Operational Finance. He oversaw all aspects of operational accounting, procurement, information technology and internal audit for a portfolio of 2,900 rooms, 68 F&B outlets, 55 retail outlets and 11 golf courses. He had an active role in several significant transactions, including the sale of KSL Recreation Corporation to CNL Hotels in 2004. During his tenure as KSL’s Western Region CFO, he oversaw all accounting, purchasing and information technology functions for Grand Wailea Resort, Claremont Resort & Spa, and La Quinta Resort & Club. A graduate of California State University Chico, Claude began his career in the hospitality industry at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, where he worked in the accounting departments at The Copley Plaza in Boston and the Wyndham Palm Springs Hotel.

Eric Calderon

Principal & Chief Operating Officer

Bringing over 30 years of hotel management experience, Eric Calderon is responsible for operations of the company’s resorts and private residence clubs and plays a strategic role in the development of new projects. Before joining Auberge Resorts in 2007, he served as Chief Operating Officer for Ty Warner Hotels & Resorts in Santa Barbara, California. Prior to that, Eric distinguished himself during his 18-year tenure with the Aspen Skiing Company. As that company’s Vice President and General Manager, he oversaw operations at several of the West’s leading luxury resorts and private clubs, including the Little Nell in Aspen where he played a central role in developing the $150 million Residences at the Little Nell; the Snowmass Club and Snowmass Club Residences; and the Aspen Mountain Club. His earlier career includes management positions with Pebble Beach Resorts, Four Seasons Hotels and Westin Hotels & Resorts. He graduated from the Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne in Switzerland.

Caroline MacDonald

Chief Marketing Officer

Since joining the company in 2001, Caroline MacDonald has been instrumental in the opening and branding of the Auberge properties as well as the brand’s expanding real estate portfolio. She created a visual identity for the Auberge Resorts brand, capturing the spirit of the resorts in photography and across Auberge’s print and social channels. MacDonald spearheads the company’s social media campaign, brand and entertainment partnerships, guest research strategies, and launched print and digital versions of the company’s Auberge magazine. Prior to joining Auberge Resorts, she held the position of Vice President of Sales & Marketing for the Pinehurst Company responsible for The Palmilla Resort in Los Cabos, Mexico. She spent seven years with Carefree Resorts as Director of Sales & Marketing at the Carmel Valley Ranch. MacDonald began in sales at the DoubleTree/Canadian Pacific Hotels in Monterey, California. Prior to her hospitality career, Caroline was a Staff Sergeant in the United States Air Force, working in Systems Management while stationed in Europe. She has a Masters in Business Administration from Pepperdine University Graziadio School of Business.

Ursula Zopp

Vice President of Human Resources

Ursula Zopp is responsible for all matters pertaining to human resources at Auberge Resorts. Prior to joining the company, she spent ten years in human resources management at Hyatt Hotels, serving as Director of Human Resources for the Hyatt at Fisherman’s Wharf, the Park Hyatt San Francisco and the Hyatt Regency Bellevue. She completed Hyatt’s Corporate Training Program and received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia.

John Washko

Vice President of Operations

A respected leader in the luxury hospitality industry, John Washko is responsible for maintaining the company’s award-winning brand standards, particularly in the areas of food and beverage. John joined Auberge Resorts in 2010 with more than 30 years of hospitality experience, which includes over 20 years with Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts. During his Four Season tenure, Washko oversaw 26 hotels and resorts as Corporate Director of Food & Beverage. During his tenure at Four Seasons he held various operational leadership positions throughout the United States and worldwide. As part of Four Seasons’ “opening team,” he played an integral role in the opening of 12 hotels in destinations such as Dublin, Istanbul, Great Exuma, Whistler and Costa Rica. Earlier, he served as Hotel Manager at the Four Seasons Beverly Hills and the Four Seasons San Francisco, which achieved the Mobil (now Forbes) Five-Star rating during its first year of operation. Prior to that, he served as Food & Beverage Director at iconic hotels such as The Pierre in New York City and The Ritz-Carlton Chicago. His work cultivating the next generation of culinary talent on behalf of the James Beard Foundation garnered him the foundation’s Angel Award in 2007.

Tracy Lee

Principal & Vice President of Spa Development

Tracy Lee has led the concept and development of award-winning spas at Auberge Resorts. In addition to overseeing the company’s spas, she has developed industry-leading environmental stewardship programs at all of the company’s properties, elevating Auberge Resorts as an environmental pioneer in the hospitality space. Prior to joining Auberge Resorts in 2000, Tracy served as Senior Director at Golden Door Spas, where she was responsible for the design, development and operation of spas in Puerto Rico, Colorado, Florida, California and Arizona. Earlier she was Spa Director of The Boulders resort in Scottsdale, Arizona. Tracy began her career at the Spa at The Peaks in Telluride, Colorado, where she held a variety of positions, including nutritionist, spa sales manager and assistant spa director. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Arizona.

Ken Springer

Vice President of Design and Construction

Ken Springer oversees all aspects of new construction and capital expenditures on current and future Auberge properties. Springer brings more than 25 years of hands-on hospitality design and construction project management experience to Auberge. His experience includes renovation and new development of numerous hotels, resorts and residential projects in mountain, beach and urban environments. He has worked with a number of prestigious brands, including Four Seasons, Fairmont, Rosewood, Belmond, The Residences at Little Nell and Tynan Group. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, he received his MBA from Pepperdine University’s Presidential and Key Executive program. Springer is a LEED-Accredited Professional and a former board member of the Boutique and Lifestyle Lodging Association.

Our Founders

Bob Harmon

Chairman Emeritus

Bob Harmon is a graduate of Stanford University and Stanford Law School. He left the practice of law to form Moana Corporation, a developer of premium resort properties in California, Hawaii and the West. Ultimately, Mr. Harmon became active in the hotel and management business upon the completion of Auberge du Soleil in 1985.

Claude Rouas

Principal & Vice-Chairman

Claude Rouas developed Auberge du Soleil in 1981 with Robert Harmon. He had his early training in the hospitality industry in Paris at Maxims and the Hotel Meurice. For many years Claude was the owner and operator of L'Etoile, San Francisco's premier French restaurant. Together with Robert Harmon, he founded Piatti Restaurant Company, which owns and operates 14 restaurants in California and four other Western States. He is a member of the Restaurant Hall of Fame.

George Goeggel

Principal & Director

George Goeggel was educated in Europe and spent his early career, after various hotel apprenticeships, working at luxury hotels in Switzerland, Austria and France. In 1981, George came to the United States and joined the Rosewood Hotel Group, where he held various management positions at the Mansion Turtle Creek, Hotel Bel Air, The Remington, Hotel Hana Maui, and The Hotel Crescent Court and Spa. In 1990, he became a Managing Partner of the Auberge du Soleil. He was instrumental in the growth of Auberge Resorts.

Our Values

Essence of place

Each of our resorts interprets the best of the local culture and natural surroundings through its design, amenities and cuisine. The result is a unique and authentic experience that truly captures the essence of our special destinations.

Authentic Bliss

We believe that no single path holds the key to absolute well-being. That’s why each Auberge Spa infuses a deep respect for the natural environment into revitalizing experiences and treatments that integrate fitness, pleasure and healing.

Food of Place

Our culinary experiences are nourished by the creativity of highly skilled chefs and the inspiration of fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. Authenticity informs each
distinctive menu, as we craft diverse, artful and innovative cuisine for guests to celebrate and savor.

Inspiring Experiences

Through Auberge Adventures, our guests can engage in specially crafted activities unique to each destination that are enriching, enjoyable and offer a true sense of discovery, both of themselves and their surroundings.

Delivering with Passion

Our team is passionately dedicated to providing warm, attentive and intuitive service, addressing each guest’s individual needs with knowledge and inspiration that will enhance and personalize their experience.

Caring for our Planet

Demonstrating responsible luxury is the underlying principle of “Planet Auberge.” We ensure that our resorts minimize their property footprints while making positive and meaningful contributions to their local environment and communities.

CORE COMPETENCIES

THE AUBERGE STORY

Auberge Resorts & Hotels has created a timeless collection of exceptional properties, each with its own distinctive character that assures a unique and memorable experience. The Auberge Collection is comprised of award-winning properties, all of which are regularly awarded with top distinctions from the following publications: Travel+Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, Andrew Harpers, and Forbes Travel Guide.

The company’s sophisticated expertise in envisioning, conceptualizing, positioning and managing best-of-breed properties and navigating challenging, ground-up development processes has resulted in a portfolio that has delivered prestige, lasting asset value, and investment return.

DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES

Auberge Resorts core competencies and expertise include hotel management and operations, extensive branded sales and marketing programs, public relations, human resources as well as culinary and spa programs to create a world-class branded product.

Management Services

Technical and Pre-Opening Services

Development and Design Consultation

Renovation and Re-launch

Seasoned Executive Team

Revenue Management & Financial Expertise

Sales & Marketing

Public Relations

Service Training

Recruitment & Training

Operational Practices

Information Systems and Technology

PARTNERING WITH AUBERGE

Auberge Resorts is actively seeking out like-minded partners and strategic expansion opportunities in the form of ground-up development, ownership, redevelopment of existing builds, re-positioning or re-branding opportunities and management opportunities.

Please contact us if you would like to speak to our business development team.